Taiwan Travel Photography with Travel Producer Shiho: TAMRON 35-100mm F2.8 and 16-30mm F2.8 G2

Posted on April , 2026

Hello I’m Shiho, a travel producer of "The breathtaking sights in the world I want to see before I die".

In the fall of 2025, I returned to Taiwan for the first time in a decade. For this four-day getaway, I wanted to prioritize the experience—savoring gourmet food and wandering through historic streets—without being weighed down by gear. I opted for a minimalist yet powerful setup: the Sony α7C II paired with two versatile lenses, the standard zoom lens TAMRON 35-100mm F/2.8 Di III VXD (Model A078) and the ultra wide-angle zoom lens 16-30mm F/2.8 Di III VXD G2 (Model A064).

Day 1: Historic Taipei — Precision and Bokeh

My journey began in Dihua Street, a storied wholesale district where 19th-century "Yanglou" red-brick buildings blend Western and Chinese architectural elements. At the famous "Ten Connected Buildings," I tested the 35-100mm F2.8 with a friend as my model. I was immediately struck by the background bokeh; even at the 100mm telephoto end, the F2.8 aperture created a stunning sense of depth that made the portrait pop.

TAMRON 35-100mm F2.8 (Model A078) Focal length: 100mm Exposure: F2.8 Shutter Speed: 1/160sec　ISO: 2500 Camera: Sony α7C II

TAMRON 35-100mm F2.8 (Model A078) Focal length: 100mm Exposure: F2.8 Shutter Speed: 1/320sec ISO: 100 Camera: Sony α7C II

Every corner of Dihua Street invited a new shot. Whether it was the afternoon sun spilling into an old storefront or the intricate details of a rooftop dragon, the lens captured each subject with crystalline clarity.

TAMRON 35-100mm F2.8 (Model A078) Focal length: 100mm Exposure: F2.8 Shutter Speed: 1/2500sec　ISO: 160 Camera: Sony α7C II

Dihua Street is also a treasure trove for souvenirs, notably the famous "mesh bags." Lightweight, durable, and water-resistant, they’ve become a quintessential Taiwanese keepsake.

TAMRON 35-100mm F2.8 (Model A078) Focal length: 35mm Exposure: F2.8 Shutter Speed: 1/200sec ISO: 2000 Camera: Sony α7C II

I even spotted one with adorable panda embroidery—the kind of charming local find that truly speaks to the heart.

TAMRON 35-100mm F2.8 (Model A078) Focal length: 35mm Exposure: F5 Shutter Speed: 1/125sec ISO: 5000 Camera: Sony α7C II

Later, we retreated to a renovated 1920s merchant mansion turned cafe. Despite the dim, moody lighting of the interior, the fast F2.8 aperture allowed me to capture the classical atmosphere perfectly without sacrificing brightness.

Day 2: Nostalgic Tainan — The Ideal Travel Setup from Landscape to Snapshots

On the second day, I took a day trip to Tainan via the High-Speed Rail. Tainan retains a charming, low-rise skyline that feels wonderfully nostalgic.

TAMRON 16-30mm F2.8 G2 (Model A064) Focal length: 20mm Exposure: F8 Shutter Speed: 1/200sec ISO: 800 Camera: Sony α7C II

Our first stop was XufengHao, a vintage hardware store turned greengrocer that has become a local landmark.

TAMRON 35-100mm F2.8 (Model A078) Focal length: 35mm Exposure: F2.8 Shutter Speed: 1/200sec ISO: 160 Camera: Sony α7C II

The 35-100mm F2.8 proved to be the ideal "walk-around" lens here. Its 35mm wide end was perfect for capturing lifestyle snapshots—like us holding fresh watermelon and papaya juices—while the telephoto reach let me zoom in on quirky urban details, such as a tiny pineapple illustration perched atop a traffic light. The versatility of this focal range meant I could keep shooting seamlessly without the constant need to swap lenses.

TAMRON 35-100mm F2.8 (Model A078) Focal length: 98mm Exposure: F2.8 Shutter Speed: 1/320sec ISO: 100 Camera: Sony α7C II TAMRON 35-100mm F2.8 (Model A078) Focal length: 100mm Exposure: F3.5 Shutter Speed: 1/200sec ISO: 100 Camera: Sony α7C II TAMRON 35-100mm F2.8 (Model A078) Focal length: 77mm Exposure: F8 Shutter Speed: 1/250sec ISO: 125 Camera: Sony α7C II

To conclude our time in Tainan, we watched the sunset at the Guanxi Platform. Though clouds lingered on the horizon, the sky gradually dissolved into a soft, ethereal gradient as the sun dipped below the water.

Day 3: Gourmet Delights and the Magic of Jiufen — Nightscape Photography at F2.8 without a Tripod

After a morning hunting for unique local manhole covers—a personal hobby of mine—we sat down for a lunch of handmade Xiaolongbao. Watching the craftsmen move with such speed was a challenge to photograph, but the fast autofocus allowed me to catch that split-second opening in the steam. For dessert, I used the 100mm’s MOD (Minimum Object Distance), 0.65m (25.6in), to boldly crop into a bowl of Douhua, using the soft F2.8 bokeh to make the textures look truly appetizing.

TAMRON 35-100mm F2.8 (Model A078) Focal length: 35mm Exposure: F3.5 Shutter Speed: 1/1250sec ISO: 100 Camera: Sony α7C II

TAMRON 35-100mm F2.8 (Model A078) Focal length: 50mm Exposure: F2.8 Shutter Speed: 1/250sec ISO: 500 Camera: Sony α7C II TAMRON 35-100mm F2.8 (Model A078) Focal length: 100mm Exposure: F2.8 Shutter Speed: 1/250sec ISO: 250 Camera: Sony α7C II

As evening fell, we moved to Jiufen. We stayed at "Twilight Forest," a beautifully designed inn I’d discovered on social media. This was where the 16-30mm F2.8 G2 ultra wide-angle zoom lens truly shone, allowing me to capture the full scale and sophisticated interior of the room.

TAMRON 16-30mm F2.8 G2 (Model A064) Focal length: 30mm Exposure: F2.8 Shutter Speed: 1/160sec ISO: 2000 Camera: Sony α7C II TAMRON 35-100mm F2.8 (Model A078) Focal length: 35mm Exposure: F2.8 Shutter Speed: 1/160sec ISO: 2000 Camera: Sony α7C II

When we headed into the heart of Jiufen after dark, the narrow cobblestone alleys were packed with tourists. Using a tripod was out of the question, and the rain began to pour, but the constant F2.8 aperture was a lifesaver.

TAMRON 35-100mm F2.8 (Model A078) Focal length: 100mm Exposure: F2.8 Shutter Speed: 1/125sec ISO: 800 Camera: Sony α7C II TAMRON 35-100mm F2.8 (Model A078) Focal length: 100mm Exposure: F3.2 Shutter Speed: 1/125sec ISO: 2000 Camera: Sony α7C II TAMRON 35-100mm F2.8 (Model A078) Focal length: 100mm Exposure: F2.8 Shutter Speed: 1/250sec ISO: 5000 Camera: Sony α7C II

It allowed me to shoot the glowing red lanterns and even a quick-moving shop cat named Enyen entirely handheld. Even in the heavy rain and low light, the gear delivered sharp, reliable results that captured the "once-in-a-lifetime" atmosphere of the town.

After trying out the TAMRON 35-100mm F2.8 (Model A078) and 16-30mm F2.8 G2 (Model A064)

Reflecting on this trip, I am convinced that this "one camera, two lenses" combination is the gold standard for overseas travel. These lenses are compact and lightweight enough for all-day carry, which is a huge advantage when you want to reduce luggage without compromising on image quality. Beyond the performance, the shared 67mm filter size is a brilliant touch, allowing for effortless sharing of lens caps and filters.

While a tropical storm cut my final morning short, these lenses ensured that every moment I did capture was vibrant and professional. I’m already looking forward to my next trip—hopefully with a bit more sunshine for Jiufen!